Best Biblical worldview Science help, late elem AIG, SIB, CGC or CKES

[freemanfamilyof6]

We will be finishing Nancy Larson Science 4 this year after using it since level 1.  This is the last level available, and although a level 5 may come out we are ready to move to another program.  My girls will be 1st, 4th, 5th, & 6th.  I forsure want to keep the older 3 in science together.  They have always done science together.  It would be a great bonus if the 1st grader could also come along with us.  She hasn't been able to in Kinder with NL science 4. 

 

1.  Looking for a Biblical worldview science that teaches creation. 

2.  I don't love the experiments part so less is more in that area. 

3.  Able to combine grades 4, 5 and 6 (maybe 1st too)

4.  2 -3 days a week best prefer 30 mins max

 

One options:  Answers in Genesis God's Design Series.  Maybe the Heaven and Earth set for next year. 

Can a 1st grader really follow along?  How long does it take to do a lesson?  How many days a week to complete the set in a year (2-3 days a week)?  Do you love it?  Does science get done at your house if you use AIG?

 

Second option:  Science in the Beginning

Can a 1st grader really follow along? Can I youtube the experiments instead because not a fan of daily experiments?  Do you love it? Does science get done at your house using SIB?

 

Other suggestions????? 

 

 

ETA:

 

What about:

Christian Kids Explore Science... tell me about this one.  Can it accommodate a 1st grader?  Times per week and amount of time per day?  Experiments often or little?

 

Considering God's Creation.... same questions...  Can it accommodate a 1st grader?  Times per week and amount of time per day?  Experiments often or little?

Edited February 9, 2016 by freemanfamilyof6

[maize]

I doubt you will find something that is really appropriate for both a 6th grader and a 1st grader.

[freemanfamilyof6]

I doubt you will find something that is really appropriate for both a 6th grader and a 1st grader.

I figured it would be hard.  I mostly am looking for keep the older 3 together on science... but both those curriculums say they are targeted for those ages.  I find it hard to believe though.

[Mom2Five]

Check out the Christian kids explore curriculum

[ByGrace3]

I am looking for the same...for 4th, 6th, and maybe 1st...

[Zoo Keeper]

I think AiG would meet your requirements. Here's a thread in which I (and others) talk about it.  The first groupings of books (Life Science and Earth Science) have separate sections for younger and older students.  Add in the quizzes, tests, and worksheets (found on the supplemental CD and Teacher Guide) for the olders.

 

I've never laid eyeballs on Science in the Beginning, so I can't compare.

[cbollin]

Science in the Beginning does have 3 levels of notebooking assignments so that the first grader would have an option.  However, that book works best when you have fun doing the demos/experiments.  I don't think the first grader will get as much out of it with watching a youtube video out there.  One way to consider using it: Let the 6th grader set up and clean up the experiments.    I used to do that. I'm make oldest do the science labs for her sisters while I was in the kitchen with them.   I know the materials lists for that book looks crazy big, but since I live near a grocery store it wasn't hard to get stuff, and use what I had.

 

but if doing the experiments/demos is something you're not able to do at all, I'm not sure the first grader will get as much out of it.   The basic set up of each lesson in SitB is to introduce the concept. Do a quick demo of it. Then explain it as much as each student needs (I tended to summarize that part instead of reading it out loud word for word.)  Then do a simple notebooking page (the text gives 3 levels for that).  close the book.   if kids want to keep trying the experiment, great.

 

I think the book was a nice general science overview for elementary.  hope something in that helps you know if it's not best fit for your needs.

[SilverMoon]

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Edited May 23, 2023 by SilverMoon

[hollyhock]

We will be finishing Nancy Larson Science 4 this year after using it since level 1.  This is the last level available, and although a level 5 may come out we are ready to move to another program.  My girls will be 1st, 4th, 5th, & 6th.  I forsure want to keep the older 3 in science together.  They have always done science together.  It would be a great bonus if the 1st grader could also come along with us.  She hasn't been able to in Kinder with NL science 4. 

 

1.  Looking for a Biblical worldview science that teaches creation. 

2.  I don't love the experiments part so less is more in that area. 

3.  Able to combine grades 4, 5 and 6 (maybe 1st too)

4.  2 -3 days a week best prefer 30 mins max

 

One options:  Answers in Genesis God's Design Series.  Maybe the Heaven and Earth set for next year. 

Can a 1st grader really follow along?  How long does it take to do a lesson?  How many days a week to complete the set in a year (2-3 days a week)?  Do you love it?  Does science get done at your house if you use AIG?

 

Second option:  Science in the Beginning

Can a 1st grader really follow along? Can I youtube the experiments instead because not a fan of daily experiments?  Do you love it? Does science get done at your house using SIB?

 

Other suggestions????? 

 

For God's Design, yes, a 1st grader can follow along because, in the Life and Heaven & Earth sets, there is a "Beginner" section for the youngest students. The lessons are nice and short so definitely 30 minutes or less and you need to do science 3x a week to get through the series in a school year. I really like it and it definitely gets science done. I've done all the sets with various kids and the Heaven & Earth one is definitely my favourite. Also, there is an activity or experiment with every lesson but they could be optional. With my 4th and 2nd grader this year, we've hardly done any, but I expect to do more now as we just started the book Our Planet Earth.

 

We did Science in the Beginning last year when my youngest boy was in 1st grade and it all went right over his head. I would try to ask him the questions after the lesson, like what is suggested for youngest students in the text, and he never knew any of them. Also, the lessons are pretty dependent on the experiments. You are supposed to do them first and then the lesson you read afterwards discusses everything you saw in the experiment. However, I will say that the experiments are all really EASY for the most part so they really aren't a big deal. I will also add that I found the lessons a bit longer than God's Design and I would allot at least half an hour, maybe sometimes 40 minutes.

[SebastianCat]

My kids are 2 years apart and we did AIG science one year (God's Design for Heaven and Earth).   My science-loving kid thought it was OK but didn't love it, and my non-science-loving kid hated it.   I think they were in 3rd & 1st grades when we tried it.   The following year, we started Apologia's elementary series and have used Apologia ever since.   

 

My opinion was that AIG was pretty dry.   If that's OK, and you're looking for a "get 'er done" curriculum, it might work for your situation.   But you'll have a hard time keeping both a 6th grader and a 1st grader engaged in the same material, even if you read the beginner sections.

[Holly]

God's Design kept everyone in my house interested...even the preschooler!  We did use the animal book, so maybe the other levels wouldn't have kept her interest as much.  It is definitely open & go.  I didn't like the lack of experiments, so that might be a plus in your book.  We used it 3x per week.  I found my younger DC preferred the readings for older children so I just read it aloud to everyone.  

 

CGC isn't as open & go, but you can keep the lessons short or add in lots of extras.  To me it has a "unit study" feel to it where you decide which things to do each week.  There is much more than you would realistically accomplish in a week's time.  The notebook pages would be too much for your 1st grader, unless you helped them quite a bit...although the science detective pages should be fine.  There are quite a few experiments and demonstrations, but they can be skipped.  I believe we did this program 3x/week.  We used the SCM 106 Days schedule, but used the CGC book quite a bit too, especially for working through the notebook pages.

 

We just started CKE mid-year.  You choose which library books to add in, so it can work for a large variety of ages.  We've been using it 3 days per week so we can fit in some extra library books, but I think it's intended to use twice a week (one day for readings, one day for experiments).  So far the experiments have been very easy...last week we had two options, so the older kids could do something a bit more challenging.  One thing I haven't like about CKE is that some of the books they recommended have had evolution.  I was really disappointed by this.  They do put a symbol by the Christian books, so I'll probably focus on those from now on.

 

I think of all these, God's Design might be your best bet.